Alex Katz
Partner and General Counsel at ff Investor
Alex Katz
Partner and General Counsel at ff Investor
New York, New York
Overview
Work Experience
Partner and General Counsel
2008 - Current
Consulting CFO
2005 - 2008
I served as a financial consultant and controller to several companies, including private equity funds, VoIP telecommunications, SaaS companies, High Tech, construction, distribution and manufacturing firms. In this capacity, I focused on accounting and finance systems implementation and management, preparing budgets and establishing internal controls, HR and organizational development, and assisting with due diligence of acquisition targets. A key function at my construction clients was establishing project costing systems and a detailed financial reporting regimen. I have also served as CEO in a small specialty construction company, and led its acquisition of a competitor and implementation of an internal growth plan.
Chief Financial Officer
2002 - 2005
I was responsible for managing the financial operations of this middle market metal manufacturing company and for implementing the Company’s strategic plan. Among my major accomplishments were upgrading the Company’s reporting infrastructure, including its computer systems and business operating software to allow real time information and analysis, which analysis led to increasing utilization of little-used equipment for additional contribution margin to the Company’s profitability and participating in implementation of Continuous Process Improvement methodologies to increase operating efficiencies. I led the due diligence team that analyzed the Company before acquisition. The confluence of these changes was a 15% increase in sales, a 33% increase in operating margins and more than a 100% increase in order backlog.
Chief Executive Officer
1999 - 2002
I was primarily responsible for performing due diligence on the acquisition candidates in this consolidation in the fastener distribution company and for raising $20 million of senior and mezzanine debt and equity capital to finance the acquisitions. I was part of the team that led the Company to implement the business strategy of growing through acquisitions, focusing on value-added services and integrating the expertise of each profit center. The Company grew from pro forma revenues of $15.9 million in 1999 to $21 million in 2002, and expanded from three operating locations in two states to eight operating locations in four states
Tax and Corporate Attorney
1996 - 2002
As outside counsel to entrepreneurs and closely held companies, I planned, researched and negotiated transactions involving mergers, acquisitions and divestitures ranging to transaction sizes of $30 million. My practice focused on issues in corporate and partnership governance, taxation and other commercial matters.
Certified Public Accountant
1984 - 2002
I provided tax consulting and preparation, financial accounting, and management advisory services to my clients who ranged to $20 million in annual revenue, and included distributors, manufacturers, service firms, retail firms, real estate developers, construction companies and not-for-profit organizations.
Tax Attorney
1993 - 1996
As outside counsel to entrepreneurs and closely held companies, I planned, researched and negotiated transactions involving mergers, acquisitions and divestitures ranging to transaction sizes of $30 million. My practice focused on issues in corporate and partnership governance, taxation and other commercial matters.
Attorney
1992 - 1993
As outside counsel to entrepreneurs and closely held companies, I planned, researched and negotiated transactions involving mergers, acquisitions and divestitures ranging to transaction sizes of $30 million. My practice focused on issues in corporate and partnership governance, taxation and other commercial matters.
Summer Law Clerk
1991 - 1991